Great Smoky Mountains – Abrams Falls & Rocky Top

Smoky Mountains

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker’s paradise with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short leg-stretchers to strenuous treks that may require backcountry camping. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies. Car camping, fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. Whether you delight in the challenge of a strenuous hike to the crest of a mountain or prefer to sit quietly and watch the sun set, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a myriad of activities for you to enjoy. The hardest part may be choosing which auto tour, trail, waterfall, overlook, or historic area to explore!

Abrams Falls
Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over falls more than makes up for its lack of height. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque. The waterfall and creek are named for Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream.
The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. The hike is 5 miles roundtrip and considered moderate in difficulty.
Due to strong currents and an undertow, swimming in the pool at the base of the falls is extremely dangerous.

Rocky Top hike

“Rocky Top, Tennessee” refers to a specific place, some have suggested that a 5,440-foot (1,660 m) barren summit known as “Rocky Top”— located in the Great Smoky Mountains along the Tennessee-North Carolina border— is the best fit, due in large part to its vicinity to Gatlinburg, where the song was written. Rocky Top is a subpeak of Thunderhead Mountain, which overlooks Cades Cove, and is traversed by the Appalachian Trail.
Miles RT 13.4
Max elevation 5441 ft.
Total Ascent 4157 ft.
Max Speed 6.8 mph
Moving Avg. 2.1 mph
Moving Time 5 hrs 55 min
Stopped 3 hrs 2 min

Enjoy the Pic’s